Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-04-14
FEMALE SEMINARY BURNED.
Origin, Scenes and Incidents of
the Catastrophe.


Last Sunday, only a few min.
utes after finishing an article des-
criptive of the entertainment at the
Female Seminary, the startling in
telligencs rang out that the building
was in flames. In few minutes
more every vehicle that could be
started was rolling at fearful speed
TO the relief of the students.
Every door was thrown open for
their reception, hotel aoeommoda-
tions were offered, and in tones of
kindness and sympathy invitations
to come were sent the sufferers.
After an hour or so Of absence
wagons, hacks and buggies began
TO return to town loaded with
school girls and their plunder.
To the adjacent houses many were
sent and gladly received. Many
accepted the accommodations at
the Male Seminary and at the
Presbyterian girl boarding school.
Nearly every family had one or
more TO care for. Neither sympa-
thy nor desire, nor action that
speaks louder than either were
wanting. All were cared for.
HOW THE FIRE STARTED.
As stated by those who seem to
know, the fire started from the
ashes and burning tobacco knock
ed from a pipe. A fellow by the
name of McClane, crazy on the
subject Of religion, went to the
seminary and asked for permission
70 preach. This was denied him.
After remaining for some time, he
remarked to Judge Walker that he
would 60 out on the back porch
and take a smoke, and it appears
that, after having finished, he
knocked the ashes out of his pipe
against post, which being very
dry and deeayed at the base easily
took fire from the embers that were
famed into blaze by the wind,
The post being hollow the fire soon
burned its way through and as
cended on the inside. When dis
covered such was the progress it
had made. Repeated efforts were
made to remove the post, but be-
fore this could be done the fire had
reached the roof Of the portico.
From thence it penetrated the main
building and was beyond control.
The scene Of excitement that
now followed beggars description,
The girls, frantic with fear, weep
ing and screaming, ran hither and
thither without any seeming pur-
pose. Some lost not their pres
ence Of mind, but began TO save
their trunks and clothing and to
aid each other in doing so. Some
were cool and brave, and With
strength born OF excitement, ran
'srem room to room and threw
their contents from the windows.
Just as the excitement began to
grow appalling, Mr.. Howell Cobb
and James Johnston drove up with
three young girls in buggy. As
quick as possible they fastened
their team to the fence and ran in
to the burning building. Life was
their first object to save. Many
doors were locked, which they
burst open by running against
them. The widest confusion
reigned and none but cool heads
and courageous hearts could do
what was done. Flying from
room 10 room and from floor TO
floor, Cobb, nndaunted satisfied
himself that all had escaped. On
their return to town that evening
they were hollow-eyed and worn
down with their efforts to save ali
they could.
Tho building is now in ruins
Tolierlng walls and columns are
all Dist Is left Of that which is 50
lonaIg cherished by SO many
aaolhefa and daughters Of our
nation